Drury, MSU to raise money for ALS through second Battle For Bell

Despite their close proximity, Drury University and Missouri State University have only battled in baseball once before. That game came in 2012, when the teams squared off in support of former MSU shortstop and Glendale High School head coach Howard Bell in his fight against Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).

Coach Bell passed away in 2013. However, the teams have decided to come together once again to raise money to support of those locally who suffer from the disease that took his life.

On Saturday, Sept. 23, the teams will compete in the second “Battle For Bell,” a nine-inning exhibition contest at U.S. Baseball Park. Funds raised by the event will benefit the CoxHealth ALS Clinic, which provides coordinated care and support to ALS patients in the region.

“To be able to participate in Battle for Bell again, serving as a tribute to Coach Bell who taught me a lot while at Glendale and supported the Drury Panthers from the beginning, is an honor,” says Scott Nasby, head coach of Drury University’s baseball team. “We are excited for our program to match up against MSU. They have a top-notch program, and a staff I highly respect. The community support for this should be huge, and a matchup between two teams that made deep postseason runs should be a great teaser for our 2018 squads.”

“The 2012 Battle for Bell was a great success with funds raised and over 4,000 people in attendance,” says Keith Guttin, head coach of MSU’s baseball team. “We would like to repeat those numbers and continue to help in the battle against ALS.”

Gates open at 5 p.m. for autographs and an opportunity to watch both teams’ batting practice, which is followed by the game at 7 p.m. Tickets, which are $5, go on sale Wednesday August 9. They are available in advance at select Price Cutter stores, U.S. Baseball Park and Drury University’s O’Reilly Family Event Center Box Office.

For more information, call 417-581-1151 or visit www.theusbaseball.com.